Mindful Sojourning

As I mentioned yesterday, my grandmother lived with polio most of her life and was unable to have children so they chose to adopt two daughters. When I discovered this I asked my mom if she ever thought about finding out who her real parents were, and she answered by saying her real parents were my grandpa and grandma. Neither her nor my aunt ever had any desire to know who their biological parents were because of the love they received from their parents.

During the funeral Pastor Wade made an incredible observation that I had never thought about. My grandfather was renowned for being an honest and compassionate man in town. Like I’ve said, he was the mayor, a mechanic, the finance director at church, a person who served meals on wheels, and held many other positions. Pastor Wade commented on how neat it was to see a man who was respected and revered by so many in the community, find even more respect at home with his family.

I have met many people in my days of ministry who are revered and respected in the community, but have very little respect at home. For whatever reason many people, including pastors, turn into different people when they walk in the front door of their house. Some how they manage to put on the face of a servants heart outside the house winning the respect of many, but demand service inside the home and lose the respect of those closest to him or her.

Are you one of these people? Do you put on the face of a servant at work, in church, or out in the community, but then do a 180 at home and demand a slave out of your spouse or children? Jesus talks about similar issues in Matthew 6:1-6 when he tells his disciples not to do thing in public just to be noticed.

I encourage to always seek to win the respect others whether in your home or in the community by serving them all. Be the same man or woman inside the home and out. Pastor Wade explained how the love his wife and two daughters had for him revealed that my grandfather was a true man of integrity.

You to can be a person of integrity and win the hearts of your spouse, children, and community. You may realize in the moments and they may not always respond the way you hope, but in the end they will see your works.

May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you as you seek Him with all your heart.

Soon after my grandfather and grandmother started dating, my grandmother was diagnosed with polio. If I’m correct, this would have been in the early 50’s and at this point polio was a very serious disease. In fact, my grandmother was quarantined in the hospital for a period of time and not even her mom was allowed in to see her. No one really knew what the future would hold for her but there were many uncertainties.

As I think back to this moment in their lives, I wonder what was going through their minds. What would be going through my mind? They were both young and both had the world in front of them and then all the sudden the future seems to close a little for one of them. Reflecting on my grandfathers position there were a few options he had. There was little commitment in this relationship because they had only been dating for a short while. Polio had many uncertainties to it, and he had his whole future in front of him. I think about how easy it would have been for him to side step the whole issue and gently break her heart. By gently, I mean throwing her heart off the roof of Sears Tower. But that was never my grandfather. Instead of choosing what may seem like the easy road to many, he saw this as a challenge they would face together. He knew it would be difficult, but he knew it would be devastating for her to face it alone. He loved her too much.

What would you have done is his situation? Would you have the willingness to face a life of uncertainties with someone you love? It sounds romantic, and it is, but when you face these situations in real life how do you respond? I see too many people today who would rather throw a person’s heart off the Sears Tower than be the source of strength to their life.

It may have seemed at the time that my grandfather was losing the future that was before him, and it may have seemed as though he would become the strength that would allow my grandmother live. But as time would tell, my grandmother became the wizard behind the curtain of this successful man. Together they owned and operated the most trusted mechanic shop and service station in town, he was mayor of his town for 14 years with her working as his personal assistant, and they raised two daughters that absolutely adored their parents.

Jesus once said, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” My grandfather did not lose his life. By leaving behind any selfish ambition in life, he gave hope to another persons life and together they gave life to many.

How about you? Can you be a life giver? Can you stand in the waves of adversity holding onto the hand of someone you love? Or will you choose your own life only to lose it in the end?

Many people came together yesterday to celebrate the life of a man with integrity. Integrity was the word of the day. What will be the word of the day when your life is celebrated?

I got a phone call from my mom this Saturday saying that my grandfather only had a few hours to live but it is Monday morning and He is still with us. Ed Blake is simply the greatest man I’ve ever encountered. And no this is not the sentimental statement thrown around by people when their friends or family pass away. Those who know me can vouch that I’m not one to make sentimental halfhearted statements . For better or worse you’ll always get what I think unless I choose to just stay quiet, which is something I’m getting better at with time.

The rest of this week I hope to reflect on the legacy my grandfather has left, but today I want you to reflect on what I just said, “this is not a sentimental statement.” We live in a world today where no one is bad and everyone is going to be with the good Lord at the end of their life. I don’t mean to irritate any wounds of lost loved ones today but at some point we have to meet reality in the face and realize death is inevitable, and our legacy is what it is. Have you ever sat in a funeral and listened to everyone speak of how great a wonderful a person was, but in your mind you’re thinking, “yeah right.”

Last winter at a retreat, the ones who put the event together asked the wife of the guest speaker to write a quick note introducing him. In the introduction the wife explained how great of a man her husband was and she end with this statement, “he is the real deal.” If you were being introduced what would be your concluding statement? Would others truly be able to say that you are the real deal? Or would they give a sentimental halfhearted statement? Take a moment and think about this, if you could write the legacy of your life what would it be?

The death of my grandfather will be a sad time, not because he has passed away but because all who have known him will have truly lost a great friend. My sister said it best, “he is my best friend and I don’t know what I’ll do without him.” Realize you are the only one capable of making your legacy a reality. Will your grandson call you the greatest man or woman he has ever known? Will your granddaughter call you her best friend?

May the good Lord bless you with a Spirit of humility and sacrificial love for the rest of humanity. God bless.

**I don’t want to insinuate that we should look towards the negative side of a persons life at the time of their death. Life is a blessing from God and every child is dear to Him, even the ones He loses. We should be very reluctant to cast a negative portrait of a person and their life.

While I was reading a commentary yesterday I came across the idea “organic suffering.” The writer was suggesting that suffering was the prelude to glory, salvation, and/or life. What a profound thought. So often we ask the question, what good comes out of suffering? And often times the suffering is on such a massive scale that it is a legitimate question. But if taken on the smaller side in our personal lives, then we can see the beauty of it. In the midst of Paul’s suffering others found strength. His suffering was organic in others glory, life, and salvation.

However, often times our suffering creates growth and strength in us. You have heard it said, “That which doesn’t kill us, only makes us stronger.” My response to such a saying is yes, but only if we channel through a proper means. And can I suggest to you the means is the cross of Jesus Christ. In the cross we see that our God can truly identify with our suffering. We see His intense suffering, but we also see His mercy and grace. In the midst of death He was still blessing and forgiving. If we channel our sufferings through inner strength of ourselves, what we are really doing is we becoming hardened and cut off from anything we think can hurt us.

James tells us in his letter, that we should consider it nothing but pure joy when we face trials and tribulations because such things test us (James 1). Such testing builds perseverance and eventually maturity and completeness. He goes on to say that if we lack anything to ask God who gives to all. If you are in the midst of struggles, I encourage to ask God for help. But be encourage because suffering is the prelude to life, salvation, and glory. us